D.—l

16

As against this, the amount proposed to be expended during the present year, including £165,273 liabilities at end of March last, is £252,545, which will leave £139,230 available for appropriation in succeeding years. A further sum, amounting to about £59,800, will, however, probably come to the credit of this fund in the shape of recoveries under the Native Land Eating Act. PART 11. For the North Island Trunk Railway, including Eoad Works, and Native Land Purchase in connection therewith. In Part 11. of the Fund we had at 31st March the sum of £435,817 ; and, as against this, with liabilities at end of March amounting to £28,972, we shall have to expend during the present year, in order to meet existing engagements, the sum of about £34,201, leaving £401,616 for appropriation in succeeding years. PART 111. For Eailway Works generally, with the exception of the North Island Trunk Eailway, and the small items of Eailways included under Part I. In Part 111. of the Fund we had at 31st March the sum of £618,078 ; and, as against this, with liabilities at end of March amounting to £174,394, we propose to expend during the present year the sum of £287,415, leaving £330,663 for appropriation in succeeding years. The Public Works Fund as a Whole. Taking the Public Works Fund as a whole, therefore, we had available at 31st March last the sum of £1,445,670; and, as against this, with liabilities at the end of March amounting in all to £368,639, we propose to expend during the present year the sum of £574,161, leaving t'871,509 available for appropriation in succeeding years. As explained in my last Public Works Statement, however, it is scarcely probable that the various amounts which I have just alluded to as proposed to be expended will all come to charge within the current financial year, so that the actual expenditure which will be brought to book will not probably exceed £445,000, thus leaving about £1,000,000 for expenditure in succeeding years. TABLES A, B, C, AND D. The condition of the various funds, in relation to the several works and services provided for, will be found in detail on Tables A, B, and C, which will be attached to this Statement. From Table A of these it will be seen that some readjustments are proposed in the allocations recommended last session for the various classes of works under Part I. of the fund ; but none of them call for any special notice, as they consist merely in carrying a small portion of the amount previously unallotted to the credit of some of the items where funds were insufficient to fulfil engagements. Table D shows the total expenditure on all classes of works for several years back. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, Sir, I would wish to take this opportunity of congratulating the House and the country on the improved prospects of the colony since the date of my Public Works Statement of last year, and to express the hope and belief that, if the proposals which I have now made are given effect to, it will further develop our resources, and enable us to take further advantage of the rise in prices which our produce has recently commanded. The usual reports by the several permanent officers of the department will be attached to this statement, and also the usual tables showing condition of loan allocations, &c.